Why is this "down"?
He was making jokes down the phone to me yesterday.
I learned "on the phone, over the phone, over the phone".
I don't know why is "down" used in this setence.
There is something reason?Thank you, teacher Peachey. Can I ask you or anybody again?
I received the sad news of the sudden passing of my father down the phone.
Is this more natural than "on or by" the phone?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 6
1
"down the phone" is a very common expression
In the old days you could send messages down pipes and tubes. Hence the expression. It is not a long stretch of the imagination to extend this to telephone wires.
1
I agree with Peachey, still very much in use.
1
It's still very much in use, so learn it. :) The idea is to emphasise that the listener is the unfortunate target of the action, so you'd hear verbs like 'yelled', 'screamed', 'laughed at' and so on.
Here are a few examples provided by Google:
"The former South African president was so incensed that he was 'breathing fire' down the telephone line at the-then Welsh Secretary Peter Hain..."
"And if he calls, yell down the phone at him and then hang up."
"...this was screamed at 3 million decibels down the phone with tears and the full guilt trip."
"When I asked about vouchers I was actually laughed at down the phone."
Your example gives me the feeling that the listener really didn't want to listen to the jokes.
1
"Down" the phone refers to the old days when you could send a message "down" a telegraph wire. This usage is now obsolete.
0
Thank you for answers. Then, I will forget it.^^
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